06 Aug How to Take Better Photos of Your Quilts
At Stitchcraft Marketing, we know many of our readers are invested in both the business and the hobby of quilting (and related textile arts). It’s important to you as a maker and as a businessperson that you showcase your products as attractively as possible. In today’s post, we have recommendations for taking great photos of your quilts. These tips will also be useful to other textile artists who create two-dimensional, soft art pieces.
Why Take Photos of Your Finished Quilts?
Think about why you’re taking photos and you’ll be on the way toward setting up ideal shots for use across your online and print presence. Let’s talk about three reasons to grab photos of all your quilts.
Showcasing Your Skills
High-quality photos are an essential way to highlight the intricate details and high quality of your quilts. By highlighting the colors, patterns, and textures of your work, you can share your artistic skills and creative vision with others. Photos provide a visual representation of the hours of work and dedication you’ve invested into each piece.
A closeup photo can show the precise alignment of your seams and corners.
Selling Online
For those quilters who own shops, design patterns, teach classes and conduct other quilt-related business on online platforms or through personal websites, professional photos are crucial. They can make the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity. High-quality images convey the quality and beauty of your designs and skills, attracting buyers and increasing your chances of making a sale. Photos are your first impression in the digital marketplace, so make sure they accurately represent your work.
Building a Portfolio
A portfolio of quilt photographs serves to document your growth as a quilter. This collection can serve as a personal record of your achievements and can be shared with potential customers, students, or collaborators. Whether you’re entering competitions or simply preserving memories, a well-organized portfolio of photos can effectively display your quilting journey.
Tips for Taking Great Photos of Your Quilts
Make Use of What You Have
You don’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. Many smartphones and compact cameras can capture high-quality images that are perfect for sharing online. Focus on getting the best shot with the tools you have, rather than investing in costly gear.
Prepare Your Supplies
It’s helpful to have a kit ready for your photo sessions. Include essentials like scissors for trimming threads, a lint roller to remove unwanted fibers, and pins or clips to hold the quilt in place. A sheet or towel can be handy if you’re draping your quilt over a not-so-clean surface. Don’t forget a step stool if you need to get a higher angle or props to add some context to your photos.
Embrace Natural Light
Lighting is key to capturing the true beauty of your quilts. Natural light provides even illumination that highlights colors and details without creating harsh shadows. Consider photographing outside or near a large window. If you’re outdoors, avoid direct sunlight, which can be too intense. The soft light of early morning or late afternoon is ideal for quilt photography.
Choose an Appealing Background
The background can make or break your quilt photo. Simple, uncluttered settings such as a plain wall, wooden fence, or textured surface like brick can help your quilt stand out. Sometimes a scenic backdrop like a garden or urban landscape adds interest without overwhelming the quilt itself. Keep in mind that you don’t want your background to compete with your quilt.
This intricate quilt stands out against the blue background.
Get the Right Angle
To achieve a clean, professional look, align your camera parallel to the quilt, especially for flat shots. This prevents distortion and ensures the quilt looks its best. Many cameras and phones offer grid lines to help you frame the quilt properly, using the rule of thirds to create a balanced composition.
Keep It Steady
Blurry images can ruin a great photo. To avoid this, use a tripod for stability or rest your arms on a solid surface while shooting. If you don’t have a tripod, keep your elbows close to your body and take a deep breath and hold it before snapping the picture to minimize movement.
Create a Shot List
It’s a good idea to take various shots of each quilt. Spend a little time online browsing other quilt photos to get inspiration. Capture full views, close-ups of intricate details, and creative angles that tell the story of your quilt. Documenting various aspects, like the quilting stitches, binding, or how the quilt drapes, gives you a comprehensive collection to choose from for sharing and future reference.
Add Personal Touches
Personalizing your photos can make them more engaging. Include elements that reflect the quilt’s story, such as the person it was made for or props that align with its theme. Pets, playful scenes, or detailed shots of distinctive features can add charm and context.
Enjoy the Process
Above all, have fun with your quilt photography. It’s an extension of your creative process and should be enjoyable. Experiment with different techniques and styles until you find what works best for you. Remember, sometimes breaking the rules can lead to unexpectedly beautiful results!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Quilts
Ignoring Lighting Conditions
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the importance of lighting. Poor lighting can distort colors and obscure details, making your quilt look less appealing. Avoid taking photos in low-light conditions or under artificial lighting that can cast unflattering shadows and alter colors.
Poor lighting makes it difficult to appreciate this homey quilt.
Neglecting to Prepare the Quilt
Another mistake is not properly preparing the quilt before photographing it. Make sure your quilt is clean and free from any loose threads or lint. Iron your quilt to remove wrinkles unless you prefer the crinkly look, in which case, launder it to maximize the texture. A well-prepared quilt will look its best in photos.
Over-editing Photos
While editing can enhance your photos, it’s important to keep edits minimal to maintain authenticity. Over-editing can result in unnatural colors and an unrealistic appearance. Focus on subtle adjustments to brightness, contrast, and sharpness to enhance details without compromising the quilt’s natural beauty.
Final Thoughts
Photographing your quilts is more than just capturing an image; it’s a way to immortalize your hard work and share it with the world. It can help you document your growth while also drawing the attention of potential customers and collaborators. With practice and attention to detail, you can take beautiful photos that do justice to your quilting artistry. These tips will help you capture the essence of your quilts and share them with a wide audience, whether for personal satisfaction, business, or educational purposes.
Are you a quilter working on growing an online presence or a shop owner who already wears too many hats and needs help with social media? Stitchcraft Marketing is a marketing agency of crafting experts. We customize every program to showcase your brand, engage your customer base, and generate sales in a way that is nothing less than magical. If you’d like to work with us, contact us today to get started!
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